How to Differentiate Instruction in Mixed Ability Classrooms

For education courses in Educational Psychology, Advanced Educational Psychology, Differentiated Instruction, Inclusion/Mainstreaming, Mild/Moderate Disabilities Methods, or General Methods (K-12). This brief Merrill/ASCD text provides guidance, principles, and strategies for teachers who are interested in creating learning environments that address the diversity typical of mixed-ability classrooms. The text will help educators understand what differentiated instruction is, why it is appropriate for all learners, how to begin to plan for it, and how to become comfortable enough with student differences to make school comfortable for each learner in the classroom.

Author description

Carol Ann Tomlinson is Associate Professor of Educational Leadership, Foundations and Policy at Curry School of Education, University of Virginia.

Table of contents

Introduction Chapter One: What Differentiated Instruction Is--And Isn't Chapter Two: The Rationale for Differentiated Instruction in Mixed-Ability Classrooms Chapter Three: The Role of the Teacher in a Differentiated Classroom Chapter Four: The Learning Environment in a Differentiated Classroom Chapter Five: A Look Inside Some Differentiated Classrooms Chapter Six: Strategies for Managing a Differentiated Classroom Chapter Seven: Preparing Students and Parents for a Differentiated Classroom Chapter Eight: The How To's of Planning Lessons Differentiated by Readiness Chapter Nine: The How To's of Planning Lessons Differentiated by Interest Chapter Ten: The How To's of Planning Lessons Differentiated by Learning Profile Chapter Eleven: Differentiating Content Chapter Twelve: Differentiating Process Chapter Thirteen: Differentiating Products Chapter Fourteen: Grading in a Differentiated Classroom A Final Thought Appendix: A Few Instructional and Management Strategies for Differentiated, Mixed-Ability Classrooms References Further Reading Index About the Author